ATLANTA — Ahead of one of the biggest matchups in the Southeast, the University of Alabama’s head football coach, Nick Saban, is being sidelined by COVID-19 just days before playing the University of Georgia.
Saban announced his diagnosis Wednesday but says he doesn’t have any symptoms and is feeling fine. Alabama’s athletic director also received a positive test.
The game Saturday night in Tuscaloosa is still on but there will be major changes.
We’re staying on top of developments for this game -- Stay with Channel 2 Action News for updates
“I’m not sure how this is going to play out when the game comes, if I can have communication with people or not,” Saban said.
Saban says he’s going to continue coaching from home, starting by watching practices Thursday morning remotely.
“I didn’t leave the country or anything. I’m just right down the street. And we have this technology, so it’s really unique. I don’t have any experience in this but we’re going to do the best we can,” Saban said.
Channel 2′s Steve Gehlbach spoke to a doctor from WellStar Health System, who says the coach must now isolate for the next 7 to 10 days.
“it will be very critical in this situation. We need to make sure that we contact trace appropriately, quarantine, that way this doesn’t continue to spread,” said Dr. Chirag Patel.
The SEC has postponed two games already this week due to COVID-19 outbreaks, but Alabama has reported no team-wide spread.
We’ll let you know if that changes, and immediately if the UGA game is somehow impacted.
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